Kakinada: A clash between two groups during a Grama Sabha at Kamanagaruvu village in Amalapuram Rural mandal on Thursday left the village sarpanch and her husband injured.
The injured were identified as Kamanagaruvu sarpanch Nakka Aruna Kumari and her husband Chandrasekhar, who were admitted to a private medical college hospital in Amalapuram.
According to sources, the Grama Sabha was convened to discuss the proposal to merge Kamanagaruvu, Peruru and Eedarapalli villages with Amalapuram town. Villagers had unanimously opposed the proposal two months ago. However, the issue resurfaced during Thursday’s meeting.
During the discussions, YSRC MPTC Guthula Anitha reportedly gave her consent for the merger, stating that areas such as Abbireddy Colony and surrounding localities would benefit from development if the villages were merged into the town.
Former sarpanch Rajulapudi Bhimudu of the Telugu Desam Party also agreed to the merger but alleged misuse of a Rs 6 lakh grant by the MPTC. The allegation was objected to by Guthula Prasad, the MPTC’s husband, leading to heated arguments that escalated into a physical clash, with members of both groups allegedly throwing chairs and attacking each other.
During the melee, sarpanch Aruna Kumari and her husband, who had opposed the merger, were attacked and injured.
Amalapuram Rural police registered a case against R. Chenna Maheswara Rao, Mane Gowri Shankar, and others.
Meanwhile, Scheduled Caste leaders staged a protest at Yerra Vanthena in Amalapuram, condemning the attack on the sarpanch and her husband and demanding the immediate arrest of those involved. MLA Ayithabathula Ananda Rao, ZPTC Pandiri Srihari, and others later visited the hospital and consoled the injured.
